Instrumental

*when you purchase a lossless format, we include the MP3 free of charge

Please Note: On Mp3 format an unavoidable click may be heard on segue track breaks, to avoid this issue please select lossless

WARNING - you must enable Javascript in your browser to order higher quality download formats

DOWNLOADS

WEINBERG, M.: Piano Works (Complete), Vol. 2 (Brewster Franzetti)

Select Complete Single Disc for

MIECZYSLAW WEINBERG

Partita, Op. 54

1

I. Prelude

0:58

2

II. Chorale

1:56

3

III. Serenade

1:17

4

IV. Sarabande

3:01

5

V. Intermezzo

1:34

6

VI. March

4:57

7

VII. Aria

3:13

8

VIII. Ostinato

1:37

9

IX. Etude

1:45

10

X. Canon

2:16

Piano Sonatina, Op. 49

11

I. Allegro leggiero

2:21

12

II. Adagietto lugubre

2:55

13

III. Allegretto

1:23

Piano Sonata No. 4 in B minor, Op. 56

14

I. Allegro

8:09

15

II. Allegro

4:10

16

III. Adagio

6:26

17

IV. Allegro

9:30

Allison Brewster Franzetti Soloist

This second volume of the complete piano works ranges in date from 1950–55. The Partita is notable for its alternation of the intimate and the intensely dramatic, whereas the Sonatina is lyrical, though never straightforward. The Piano Sonata No 4 fuses folk inspiration, rhythmic vivacity and melancholy in a profoundly personal way.

"As with the rest of Weinberg’s oeuvre, recordings of his piano music are a recent phenomenon. So the welcome series of the composer’s complete piano music from Grand Piano enters a field mostly barren of competition. As far as I can tell, the three works on the present recording aren’t currently available otherwise ... in the Fourth Sonata, the first movement [is] wistful…The slow movement ... is thoroughly serene but reflective in nature. As with the Sonatina, the Allegro finale has the most folk-musical references: it’s angular, somewhat spiky, driven in spots, but manages to return to the wistful melancholy of the opening movement. From an emotional standpoint, it seems to be the most sustained work on the program and is certainly the finest. Pianist Allison Franzetti is alert throughout to the mood swings that Weinberg’s music is subject to and plays with both rhythmic agility and clarity and real care as to tone production. This is a very fine playing indeed. Excellent piano sound as well. Recommended as another important milestone on the road to redefining Weinberg’s status among modern composers." ****

Lee Passarella - Audiophile Audition.com - December 2012

Recording of the Month

"...I do feel compelled to encourage people to listen for they will, I’m convinced, be bowled over by such powerful piano works. I’d not heard the name of Allison Brewster Franzetti before…her faultless technique has enabled her to be a persuasive advocate of this endlessly fascinating and powerfully stated music by a composer whose works are emerging to take their rightful place in the annals of great piano works of the 20th century."

Steve Arloff - MusicWeb-International.com - August 2012

"This second volume of the series dedicated to Polish-Russian composer Mieczyslaw Weinberg includes two world premieres and some very fine music indeed. All three works here share that soulful melancholy that is one of Weinberg’s hallmarks. If you want to hear how a brave and gentle soul stands up to adversity, give them a listen.Allison Brewster Franzetti plays the pieces superbly, underlining their strength without taking them over the top."